Rigid Rotorhead

All, I just saw this online; judging by the upturned exhausts and the tell-tale olive drab lettering on the tailboom, it looks to be an MH-60M: http://news.yahoo.com/u-military-helicopter-crashes-waters-off-okinawa-media-071803829.html Initial reports indicate that the crew and passengers survived, thankfully. Let's all hope and pray for their speedy recovery.

Please add me to the list of interested parties, and put me down for one CD. Thanks very much in advance for putting it together! Ray

Zac, Sorry for the delay in responding. If you were still going to add air-to-air armament, I'd go with the Stingers, given the weight of all the air-to-ground armament it'll already be carrying. Regarding the positioning of the Hellfires and the rocket pods, I'm not sure which would be heavier, but I'd probably go with the Hellfires on the inner wing stations. Just my two cents, but either way, I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product! Best Regards,

Hi Zac, Wow, that's the painting I commissioned Lou Drendel to do for me! It turned out great...but it's currently still unframed, awaiting some patches to be mounted with it. If you're interested, the unit I chose was B Troop, 2nd Combat Aviation Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, based out of Feucht Army Airfield, West Germany, in May 1981. Since I had Lou depict it as a fully operational bird, it was an AH-56C. The markings I had him apply are those of an actual AH-1S that served during that time period since the Cobra would never have served into 1981 if the Cheyenne had made it

Hello All, As you may recall, I requested information back in April on AH-1 Cobra units stationed near the Fulda Gap in the late 1970s/early 1980s. With the information provided so kindly by some of you, I was able to get my project completed. Behold, the AH-56 Cheyenne as it might have appeared operationally: http://www.aviation-art.net/ I have been an admirer for many, many years of aviation artist Lou Drendel of Squadron/Signal fame, so I finally commissioned him to do this painting for me. It depicts a Lockheed AH-56C Cheyenne overflying a Russian T-72 main battle tank that has just

For my research project, I've decided to go with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, specifically, B Troop, 2nd Combat Aviation Squadron based at Feucht Army Airfield. Now I need to decide which insignia would be relevant, which brings to mind two questions: 1) What type of insignia or markings did the AH-1s themselves carry? I believe I've seen one from the 1980 timeframe with crossed sabers and a '2' centered above them, painted on the fuselage below the cockpits. 2) Can anyone please provide images (via web link or by way of an e-mail attachment) the relevant unit crests, heraldic emblems

GT, Yep, the one I rode in belonged to the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. It was at the annual Vectren Dayton Air Show back in July 2010. I still remember it like it was yesterday. My pilot was Skip Lam, a Vietnam veteran with many, many hours on the AH-1 and the OH-6. Unfortunately, the very same aircraft in which I flew experienced a crash only a few months afterwards during the filming of an episode of Top Gear. You can find hi-res footage here; the crash takes place right at the one minute mark: Thankfully, both crewmembers crawled out of the wreckage, a testament to the rug

Thanks, GT! Yes, all is well these days. This info is for a specific project, which I will share with everyone in the forum later, probably in the early Summer. Having had one ride in a Cobra (F-model) and loved it, I can only imagine getting paid to do it! Regards,

Wow, many thanks to all of you for your input! Very helpful. Cheers,

Thanks, guys! I really appreciate the helpful replies. Cheers,

Hello All, For a research project, I am trying to determine which AH-1 Cobra units were stationed at/near the Fulda Gap in West Germany in the early 1980s. I presume they would've employed S-models during that time frame, as I believe the Q-models had all been replaced by that time, at least in Europe anyway. Ultimately, I need help determining which TOW-equipped units would've been the first to see action if the Cold War had gone hot and the Soviets had begun rolling tanks through the area to commence an attack. The unit designators, unit names ("Vipers", etc.), and the relevant bases are cr

Hello All, For a research project, I am trying to determine which AH-1 Cobra units were stationed at/near the Fulda Gap in West Germany in the early 1980s. I presume they would've employed S-models during that time frame, as I believe the Q-models had all been replaced by that time, at least in Europe anyway. Ultimately, I need help determining which TOW-equipped units would've been the first to see action if the Cold War had gone hot and the Soviets had begun rolling tanks through the area to commence an attack. The unit designators, unit names ("Vipers", etc.), and the relevant bases are

As mentioned, I posted it over in the Research Corner, but per your request, here it is: http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131208/DEFREG02/312080003/US-Army-Plans-Scrap-Kiowa-Helo-Fleet Cheers,

Over in the Research Corner, I just posted a link to an article about the possible retirement of the Kiowa fleet...read it and weep...

All, I was somewhat shocked and saddened to read that this is being considered: http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131208/DEFREG02/312080003/US-Army-Plans-Scrap-Kiowa-Helo-Fleet Let's hope that it doesn't happen; I realize the ole bird's getting tired, but I would hope that she's still got a lot of life left in her... If it does happen, the results will be an interesting shuffle of roles and missions among other types: AH-64Es as armed scouts, UH-72s as trainers, and additional UH-60s being passed to the National Guard. Wow.